A STAR-STUDDED NIGHT FEATURING QUESTLOVE

By Marsin Mogielski

Featured Image: Questlove and Onur Safak

Photography by Alex Dani, Alex Guarman, PG Productions, Dennis Tooshkanov, Johnny Nunez, Getty Photos

Cedric the Entertainer, Taraji P. Henson, Onur Safak

The downtown scene found its pulse at the intersection of culinary excellence and nightlife roots. Zoi Nomad and Ten11 Lounge, located on 19 West 31st Street in the heart of Manhattan, marked a triumphant first year with a celebration that reminded the city why it remains the global epicenter of style and electric energy. Hosted by the visionary restaurateur Onur Safak, the evening was a masterclass in the art of the New York gathering, drawing a crowd that spanned the heights of Hollywood, fashion, and the Manhattan elite.

The festivities kicked off upstairs at Zoi Nomad. The space, celebrated for its intimate and candlelit atmosphere, offered a sanctuary of modern elegance. Guests were treated to a lavish, family-style Mediterranean feast where every dish reflected a commitment to authentic flavors and sophisticated presentation. tables lined with mezze, fire bread, Urfa-style grape leaves, and beet and burrata carpaccio. The dinner continued with standout mains including spicy rigatoni, duck a la tandir, short rib tandir, chicken skewers, and herb-infused grilled salmon, creating a rich, indulgent dining experience that set the tone for the buzzing night.

Among those gathered were some of the most influential voices in contemporary culture. Taraji P. Henson, the Academy Award-nominated powerhouse known for her transformative roles in Power, Hidden Figures and the 2023 musical revival The Color Purple, radiated elegance with a chic hat and sunglasses as she mingled with guests. She was joined by the legendary Cedric the Entertainer, the king of comedy and star of The Neighborhood, whose presence added a layer of warmth and charisma to the high-profile gathering. Candace Bushnell, the literary icon and creator of Sex and the City, Lipstick Jungle, and her internationally acclaimed one‑woman show True Tales of Sex, Success and Sex and the City, was seen sharing conversation with fashion maven Nolé Marin and the timelessly stylish and cheerful Ann Dexter-Jones. The beauty industry was equally well-represented by Eliut Rivera of the prestigious Eliut Salon, whose eye for detail mirrored the sophisticated surroundings.

By 10 PM, the energy underwent a metamorphosis. The party transitioned downstairs to Ten11 Lounge, where the atmosphere shifted from curated dining to a high-octane celebration. Taking command of the decks was none other than Questlove. As a five-time Grammy winner, the virtuoso drummer for The Roots, and the Academy Award-winning director of Summer of Soul, Questlove brought an unparalleled musicality to the booth. His set transformed the lounge into a wall-to-wall dance floor, keeping the room in motion well into the early hours of the morning as the cocktails and champagne kept flowing.

The crowd remained electric, featuring Paola Lázaro, the magnetic star known for her breakout role as Princess in The Walking Dead, and veteran comedian Rip Michaels. This anniversary served as a definitive reminder of the venue’s rapid ascent to “it” status. With a recent guest list including names like Jessica Alba, Angela Bassett, and Alec Baldwin, Zoi Nomad and Ten11 Lounge have firmly established themselves as the premier destination for those seeking a transition from a refined Mediterranean dinner to a vibrant, star-studded late-night experience. In a city that never stops moving, Onur Safak has created a space where the world wants to stay.